Texas City ISD Completes New STEM, Robotics Center

The Texas City Independent School District near Houston, Texas, recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new STEM and Robotics Center geared towards students across grades K–12, according to a news release. The district partnered with Pfluger Architects and Bartlett Cocke for the project’s design and construction. It involved the conversion of a vacant storage building into a STEM lab for both educational and competitive use.

The building features an open arena to host robotics competitions, as well as a control room where students can manage video and audio. It also offers a fabrication lab for metal and woodworking, classrooms, and a maker space for elementary-school students.

“Working with Texas City ISD to bring the STEM Center to life has been a remarkable journey,” said Raleigh Sullivan, managing principal at the Houston office of Pfluger. “Their vision and leadership significantly contributed to this project's success. We're proud to have contributed to a space where so much learning and discovery will unfold.”

Local industry partner Marathon Petroleum Corporation donated $1 million to the project’s construction. Funding also came from a portion of a $158.6-million bond package passed in 2022. Marathon played an active role in shaping the building’s design and curriculum to encourage students to pursue careers in STEM.

“This state-of-the-art facility, the first achievement from the 2022 bond referendum, is the result of collaborative efforts, dedication and the unwavering support of our community,” said Dr. Melissa Duarte, TCISD Superintendent. “I want to thank the architects at Pfluger and the team at Bartlett-Cocke for bringing this dream to life. Together, we have created an environment that will not only satisfy the curiosity of our students, but will also serve as a catalyst for stimulating creativity and advancing critical thinking skills.”

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Delta State University Completes Renovations to School of Nursing Facilities

    Delta State University recently completed a major expansion and renovation project for the Robert E. Smith School of Nursing facilities on its campus in Cleveland, Miss., according to a news release. The project includes about 14,000 square feet of new construction and more than 21,000 square feet of renovation work to the existing space.

  • Designing School Spaces for A++ Performance

    In recent years, the educational world has gained greater appreciation for the ways a space’s aesthetics, just like its acoustics, can positively impact educational outcomes. Consequently, engineering, designing, and constructing a school environment demands acoustics to be equally an art and a science, requiring architects and designers to see with their ears, while acousticians must hear with their eyes.

  • University of Kentucky Sees Positive Results from Energy Efficiency Program

    The University of Kentucky in Lexington, Ky., recently announced the results of its Energy Program in Facilities Management, put into place eight years ago, according to a news release. Between the fiscal years of 2017 and 2025, the university’s campus grew by 13.6% while the energy use per square foot dropped by 19.2%.

  • School Construction Projects Boom as Education Systems Address Aging Facilities and Growth

    Construction opportunities are almost always abundant, but currently there are more than usual construction projects being launched for public school campuses. Common objectives include major renovation or expansion of aging facilities, total replacement of inefficient classrooms, upgrades to lighting, technology, and security equipment, and adding new sports and cultural facilities.

Digital Edition